hBhbk UW¥ 






Ta?. - 



AUUjftWA^^ 



>st/^t««^» 



D 



I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ,1 

if™? |°P2risW^o. $ 

* t 

J UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. J 






KOaUrOaLTAkl 



ft CV/S /"* 






\f\r.n 



MHHK8 






AiMft^^, 









Mima 



AMm 



mm 



mm 



:fw- 









&&A&A* 



mmm 



-^ 





■■ I1EI1 



OF 



f /flii 




*> Hr ilKt 4t ism & 




ERVING, MASS. 




^rving: 
PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HERMIT. 

1871. 



^3- 




., ? 3 47, /<> 



-*3- 



— ^Cib 






V 



OF 




MS 



"Hr 'fm 







K&yw 



ERVING, 



ASS. 



.6" 



5 c 



^ R Y I N G : 

PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HERMIT 

1871. 




& 



T 



s 



(D 






THE LIBRARY 
OF CONGRESS 

WASHINGTON 



In giving this book to the Public, as I do by request, I 
feel called upon to express my thanks to those who have 
so kindly assisted me in my undertaking. 

Feeling grateful to the Public for former kindnesses, 
I am, very respectfully, 

JOHN, the Hermit. 

Erving Castle, > 
Erving, Mass., Sept., 1871. > 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1871, by Lyndon S. Crawford, in 
the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 




<D 



-e^SH 



3)1 



- er^d fz 



I 



THE HERMIT. 



BY EDGAR L. MORSE. 



w 



In the bold and boastful Bay State, 
Just north-west of Erving town, 

On the rock} 7 pine clad hill side, 
Is a spot of such renown, 

That upon the barren faces, 

Of the ridge that heavenward tends. 
Excellently carved or painted, 

Are the names of many men. 

Men from villas in the valleys, 
From the hamlets and the hills, 

Men of low degree, and those who 
High positions nobly fill. 

What can tempt this visitation ? 

What attract the eager throng ? 
Patiently peruse this poem, 

And you'll ascertain ere long. 

At the foot of this stupendous 

Ridge of boulders, which, to pave 

Nature marvellously ventured, 
Is a roomy, gloomy cave. 



ID 



*fc G^U* 



: S^g 



-e^ 



W 



(Pi 



THE HERMIT. 






It is evening,— I will enter, 

Since the throng has homeward sped, 
In a nich within the cavern, 

Flash the flames with faggots fed. 

Opposite, with blankets tattered, 
Soiled, forbidding to the touch, 

Ricketty with age, devoid of 
Comlincss, there stands a couch. 

Surety, these are indications 
Of some human being's home, 

You exclaim ! You've spoken truly, 
'Tis the Hermit's, sad and lone. 

And I slightly shudder, as he. 

At this instant with a smile,. 
Hastes to greet me, — but recove.-, 

Seeing naught portending guile. 

Clothed in garments, nigged, thread-bare, 
Dingy ; else but patches naught; 

Face as bearded as a lion's, 
Yet with no such fierceness fraught. 

Such was his appearance. Giving 

Me a seat, he then withdrew 
To ihe corner where the flickering 

Flames their radience o'er him threw. 

Then with loquacious glibness, 
Showed he those alloquial powers 

Which have entertained so many, 
Many anxious minds for hours. 

But his words were all unheeded, 

Little interest they bore, 
For the study of his features 

Interested me far more. 

How advertently I pondered 

On that visage. I could see 
On that forehead sorrow's traces, 

Marks of deep anxiety. 



& 




¥ 






•e^ 



il) 



THE HERMIT. 



There had care deep ploughed its furrows, 
Disappointment shed its gloom, 

And his looks lacked that contentment 
Which affords to them their bloom. 

Then I queried, why he'd chosen 

This abode so sad and drear, 
Far away from human dwelling, 

Why retirement seemed so dear? 

Why he loved to hear the evening 
Breeze go moaning through the trees, 

Through the hemlock, pine and maples, 
Chanting mournful elegies? 

Why the roaring of the tempest 
Did not drive him from his home, 

As it sweeps about the barriers, 
Round about this rock} 7 dome? 

Why ? unless these scenes so lonely, 
Were the symbols of his soul; 

Emblematic of those feelings, 
Which for ever scorn control. 

Curiosity and pity 

Soon induced me to inquire, 
What wrecked this fallen being ? 

His reply brought sadness dire. 

'Twas the same, the same old story 

Oft repeated, told again, — 
Broken-hearted by affection 

Not returned, of hope the bane. 




Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. 



('J 





-e=* 




THE HERMIT OF ERVING CASTLE. 



THE FIRST YEARS. 




I, John the Hermit, landed on the shores of America, in 
May of the year 1866. lam a native of Perthshire, Scot- 
land. As my father was a soldier, I know little about my 
birth. My mother died when I was a child, so I can tell lit- 
tle of my parentage. My grandmother took charge of me till 
she died, then I was sent to a government school till I was 
about 13 years of age. When my grandmother died she 
left me in charge of an old woman, called Tibby Scugle, 
This woman had been a lodger in the house with her several 
years. My mother was lady's maid to lady McDonald, for 
15 years, before she married the soldier. It was at Greas- 
ley Abbey where they were married, it was at the same she 
died. On her death bed old Tib promised to take charge of 
me, and she did so with a hard struggle, for she had to 
earn her bread by washing. She might have been agreatdeal 
better off if she had not fell a victim to the dram glass, but 
with all her faults she never forsook the orphan boy. I remem- 
ber my grandmother often was angry at her, and used to say 
when she saw her come at night, with her apron full of bits 
of soap, candle, lumps of beef and many other things, "Tibby 
my woman where did you get all this?" she would reply, 
It is only my perquisites, and little enough, I trow." 



"r^ 1 €=^ 





f 



THE HERMIT. 




On the other side of the street was the " Beggars' 
Opera," which is a large lodging house for all kinds of im- 
postors, from the gentleman beggar to the dandy thief. The 
house was a great amusement to me, for through the win- 
dow I could see all their schemes of fraud carried on. 

This house was a regular resort for Tib. If ever so tired 
she never could go to bed without going over the way, as 
she used to call it, and very often it was difficult to get home 
again sober. I used to see her deep in conversation with an 
old man who went by the name of the " dandy matchman." 
This old man knew the country far and'wide. If a robbery 
was to be done he was almost sure to be at the head of it. 
One Saturday afternoon, I was surprised to see Tibby seated 
by the fire, in our house, holding a deep conversation with 
my grandmother, and "the dandy matchman." "Well, maim, 
this gentleman says he knows Mr. Allen well," and pointing 
to me says, in a whisper to the scamp, "Is he any way like 
him ?" "Just the image, from the crown of his head to the 
sole of his foot," he replied. 

I was at a loss to know what a, Mr. Allen had to do with 
me. My mother's name was Allen before she married my 
father, but as I had never seen any relative besides I have 
mentioned, I was in no hurry to get any acquaintance. 

" Law, see maim," says Tibby to my grandmother, "he 
is very rich, and might make a gentleman of the lad." 

My grandmother, in one of her foolish moments, had 
told Tibby of my uncle, a son of hers, who was in good 
circumstances, he had left her in a quarrel, a long time be- 
fore I was born, she had never heard of his whereabouts 
since, and she was too proud to inquire, till Tibby bethought 
herself of the dandy matchman. " So you say it will take a 
week to travel there ?" she says to the man. " O, yes, 



l^J'^D- 





— rg> 

THE HERMIT. <J 



marm, for it is beyont Aberdeen, and the lad is but a strip- 
ling, and marm you cannot go along without a few shillings 
in your pocket, marm, to appear respectable, for I do as- 
sure you, marm, Mr. Allen is a gentleman." 

Tibby handed the broken glass to the man, which he 
took with a bow, putting it to his mouth, he replied, "ye es 
do always keep the good stuff, marm," and returning the 
glass, took his leave. 

As soon as he was gone, turning to my grandmother, 
Tibby said, " I have got a £5 note from her ladyship, to buy 
him some clothes, it was a mean sum to give, but it will 
help us on the road. At any rate, his clothes will have to 
do. If I can but get the right side of the gentleman ; he is 
able to get plenty clothes for him." 

So Monday was set for our tramp for Aberdeen. On 
Sunday Tibby was so taken up with the old dandy match- 
man, and the broken glass and bottle, that I began to think 
there would be little of the money left for the road. 

At last Monday morning came, and me with a bundle of 
clothes, or rags rather, across my shoulders, with my friend 
Tibby, took the road. 

My grandmother had her doubts about my reception, but 
Tib, with a club in her hand, and the old glass and bottle 
in her pocket, took the road. Every now and then, she must 
give me a little information of this rich uncle of mine, and 
taking another drop from the bottle, would start off again, 
and every body she met, she would inquire if we was on 
the right road to Aberdeen. Some thought she was mad, 
others said she had stolen me, and was on the road to 
sell me to the doctors. But Tib, undaunted, pushed on. She 
took lodgings at the farm houses, to save expenses, she said, 
but I found out she wished to replenish the bottle rather. 




if 





THE HERMIT. 





After a week, tramping, we came in sight of Aberdeen. 
Tibby began to brush me up a bit. And washing herself 
at the brook, by the way side, bethought herself, it was too 
late to reach the house of Mr. Allen that night. It would 
be better to put up at a tavern, so turning down a street, 
we came in sight of "The Horse and Jockey." Catching me 
by the hand, she marched up to the landlady, and asked for 
lodgings, which were granted. So taking a seat by the fire, 
the landlady asked, "if we wished for supper."' Tib said 
" as she was very tired, she would prefer a glass of whiskey, 
till the supper was ready." What with the fire and whiskey 
together. 1 thought she would never have done asking about 
this great Mr. Allen, the rich uncle of mine. 

Early on the following morning she rose, and putting on 
her best clothes,, which were but rags, and taking me by the 
hand, she started off. 

But to my dying day, I shall never forget the reception 
we got at my rich uncle's. 

When we came to the house, although I was a lad 
of 9 years of age, I was at a loss to 'find my way to the 
door, for in front was a- garden, or rather a forest of thistles 
and nettles ; the gate was nailed up, with a board, and let- 
ters written thereon, "round the corner to the kitchen door, 
but beware of the dogs." I thought we were far enough, so 
turning to Tibby, I asked her what she thought of the rich 
uncle now ? 

" I troth and sure I am not gone to come so far and not to 
see him indade." So pushing open a gate of a pen of cattle, 
she was marching her way towards the door of the house, 
when all of a moment a man with whip in hand came up, 
and giving Tib. a strike with it, demanded, " what we vag- 
rants was doing among his cattle ?" 



«© , &-, 





THE HERMIT. 




"Vagrants?" replied Tib, and throwing off her old red 
cloak, she, with club in hand asked him what he meant by 
insulting adacent woman ? who had come, more than a hun- 
dred miles, to bring his sister's son to him." 

With this a tall woman came to the door, and looking at 
me, from head to foot, declared " we was nothing but im pos- 
ters, for" she said "there was not a drop of the Allen's 
blood in me." She insisted upon her brother's giving Tibby 
a sound good whipping, and sending her, and her brat away, 
for so she called me. 

Tibby was so enraged at the woman's insolence, that with- 
out any further ceremony, she made a bold dash at the man 
with her club, he with his whip, so I clung to Tib's apron, 
shouting out ten thousand murders, and to make matters 
worse, the dog came to be third man. At last the town con- 
stable, arrived on the spot, and siezing Tib, .with one hand, 
and me, with the other, marched us off to the stocks, where 
we both got our feet locked up for four hours, and to stand 
all the insults from the rabble of the town ; for some bat- 
tered us with mud and stones. 

At last we were inarched out of town as vagrants. 

Tib. had spent all the money, in the expectation of finding 
a fresh supply at my rich uncle's, so we had to beg our way 
home. 

The trip fairly cured poor Tib, from going across the 
way, for to get news from " The Dandy Matchman." And 
I gave up all hopes of ever becoming my rich uncle's heir. 

THE WANDERINGS. 

When the school days were over, I took a notion to be- 
come a packman, or a peddler as they are called in this coun- 
try. Lady McDonald gave me a handsome box for my 



■& 





jewelry and £5 in money to start with. I next stole away 
to my father, who was now married again. My grand- 
mother was at variance with him. My mother had mar- 
ried him against her will, and since her death, my grand- 
mother had forbidden me to go to see him. Before I 
reached the house, he saw me at a distance, and ran to meet 
me. His wife also treated me kindly, for she gave me £10 
out of her own pocket, and I believe she would have been 
a good step-mother to me, had it not been for my grand 
mother. 

I next bought my goods and started out for the low coun- 
try. I did very well, for a beginner and a mere boy, for 
I was only 15 years of age. 

As the winter came on, I did not like it as well, and on 
coming back for Glasgow again, I met an old friend who 
said he had engaged for the winter at the " Grand Imperial 
Turkish Tent," and that they wanted several others also. I 
went with him, for I had a good taste for the stage. So I 
engaged myself for the season, to commence the following 
week, with the grand performance of " The Enchanted Cas- 
tle on the Plains of Bavaria." 

I became a good actor and at the end of the season had 
saved £20. 

LOVE'S FATAL STORM. 

As soon as the Spring came in, I thought I had best be 
up and doing. I did not fancy to be always polishing knives 
and rings, so I thought it best to try dry goods, as the ladies 
are in general the best buyers; and to take to "The High- 
lands," instead of the "Lowlands," as the people there are 
thought to be the kindest. 

So I started for Inverness. I was in a strange part of the 



^^- 





country, and in crossing the Grampians, I lost myself in the 
mountains ; for some times the fog rises and for hours you 
cannot see a yard before you. The night came on, I still 
kept moving about; at midnight it was very chilly, but I 
thought if I lay down, I should never rise a«;ain, so I wan- 
dered about. At last the day began to dawn. I got up on 
a piece of high rock, to see if any houses could be seen, for 
I was getting quite exhausted, I thought that at a distance 
I could perceive one, so I made my way towards it. As I 
came in sight of the house, the smoke began to rise from the 
kitchen chimney. I did not know how to show myself, in 
such a figure, for one of my trowsers legs was nearly torn off 
with falling amongst the bushes. But what made it worse, 
it was Sunday. I reached the door, but it was all I could 
do, I had no power to rap, for down I fell. The door 
was opened by an old woman who gave a loud scream, and 
ran away. I was struggling to reach the fire, when a young 
woman entered in her morning gown. I heard her say, "Run 
and wake up my father, but let's shift him from the fire first 
as I have heard them say it is fatal for a sudden heat, after 
starvation." 

They laid a mattress on the floor and me thereon, the old 
woman went to raise the house. While she was away, the 
other began to get my wet clothes off. The house was soon 
all in a stir, some said give him some whiskey to drink, 
others cried for warm milk, but I do not know what they 
gave me, for I soon fell into a deep sleep, which lasted so 
long that they thought that I was never going to wake up 
again. Towards evening I opened my eyes, and began to 
show some signs of life. I began to wonder how I got there, 
for I had no recollection of what had passed. The young 
woman sat near me, reading a book, she let it fall and called 



■Sr 






THEHERMIT. ■ 13 




for her father, who came in haste and said "Betsey, my child 
get him some tea now, for he is out of danger." She soon 
had it ready and came with it to the place where I was ly- 
ing. "Betsey, my lass," cried her father, " you are an angel ; 
it was you that watched the last breath from your poor 
mother depart ; it was you that heard her last prayer, while 
the salt tears rolled down my cheek; I tell thee to watch the 
lad, and the angels bless thee, my darling !" 

Betsey did as her father had told her, and I could not help 
looking at the lovely Betsey, till she stole iny heart away. 
For several days I was not able to walk without help, she 
scarcely ever left me, till I was able to move about. As soon 
as I got better, I said I must take my leave, as all my goods 
were booked for Inverness, and no doubt would be lost. As 
the words fell upon her ear, her cheek grew pale. I felt I 
cannot tell how ; was it love ? how could it be ? and she a 
lady ? for her father was very rich and she his only daugh- 
ter ; it was a mountain home and Betsey had seen but little 
of the world then. What a pity it was, that I should have 
wrung her loving heart in speechless sorrow. 

THE BROKEN RING. 

The morning came, so I said I must take me leave. Bet- 
sey and her youngest brother, a youth about my own age, 
were at the door with their own team, to take me safe out of 
the mountains. In a suit of this youth's clothes they dress- 
ed me, for my own were so torn that I could not wear them. 

As we reached the hotel where the stage coach was to take 
me on, she said — "Shall we never meet again ?" 

My heart beat, and my tongue was speechless. I took 
her hand, and pressed it to my lips. She said " Good by 
till we meet again." I got into the coach ; as it started, I 



3 a&$ 



*=e- 





THE HERMIT. 




turned to look at the lovely maiden. She was stepping into 
the carnage to depart, her eye caught mine, and with a smile 
we parted, with a promise soon to meet again. She was in 
deep mourning at the time for her mother, who had died but 
a few weeks before ; her dress was rich, but plain, not a ruf- 
fle was to be seen as the black crape veil fell over her 
shoulders ; on her head she had no waterfall, but her rich 
auburn hair was done up in plain neat braids ; like an an- 
gel's form she left me, but her phantom followed me ; in my 
dreams I saw her, by day my thoughts were all on Betsey, 
and now I fancy I see her as plain as the night. We bioke 
the ring in two. As soon as I reached Inverness and found 
my goods right. I took up lodgings with an old woman in 
Ness street. Jt was not quite the place 1 liked, but as I did 
not intend to remain longer than to dispose of my good**, 1 
put up with it. 

In a few days there came a letter from Bets* y, requesting 

me to come to the u Elms," before I returned to Glasgow, 
The farm took its name, owing to large elm trees, that formed 
the avenues in front of the house. It was beneath these 
trees fhe gave me the ring, some twelve months after, as 1 
was leaving her to go to Glasgow and to London for the 
winter. 

THE VOW. 

Here is a token of true love, let us break it in two, here's 
half my heart and half my ring to shew my love for you. 

The moon shed her midnight gleams amongst the branch- 
es, as we retired from the place so sacred. 

On the following morning I left the Elms, with Betsey's 
promise to follow me, as soon as I could get a suitable lodg- 
ing place for her. 





-& 




THE HERMIT. 




While on the stage at Glasgow, I had become acquaint- 
ed with a charming young actress, Miss Fannie Tysdal, 
she had a brother named Robert, one of the leading actors of 
the day. I was Fanny's comrade on the stage, and if any 
love affair was to be acted, it always fell to our share. It was 
upon her account I was going to London, for she had taken 
an engagement in one of the theatres there, and to make a bet- 
ter show of it, had put my name on the bills as Mr. Robert 
Tysdal. 

We were to commer.ee with the beautiful love tragedy of 
" The Young Tyrole " or " The Italian Shepherdess." It is 
one of the finest love pieces that ever came on the stage. 

A few days brought Betsey to London. I had got the 

liberty of a seat unoccupied, near the Duchess of B , 

that she might have a full view of the tragedy. 

[n the full dress of a Tyrole youth, I handed her into the 
pew, and hasted to, the stage, for the curtain was already 
drawn, and Fanny already, as the Italian Shepherdess on 
the plain where I was to meet her. I had given Betsey a 
bill of performance, forgetting, as I did so, that I had a false 
name on it. As soon as she saw the name, it was too much 
for her, she at once took me for an im poster, and when she 
saw me and Fanny playing the part so well together, she at 
once despised me in her heart. As soon as my part was 
finished I went into the side room to change my dress, to be 
able to take Betty to her lodgings ; but she was gone ; I 
followed after but it was of no use, she told me to be gone 
for an imposter as I was. 

The next day she set off for the Elms. I wrote to her 
father and told him all about it. He answered my letter and 
said he would try all he could to convince her how it hap- 
pened ; but it was of no use ; poor girl, she had never seen 





much of the world then, being brought up in the mountains. 
I think Fanny was in love with me, for she often said she 
would marry me if I would say yes. I'm sure I loved Fan- 
ny, but Betty far more, for Betty was my first love. 

Our acting turned out to be a good job for the company, 
for the managers published it in every paper, and the theatre 
was crowded every night, more to see Fanny and myself who 
was the unfortunate lovers inste ad of the Young Tyrole. 

THE COLLIERS' STRIKE IN 1844-5. 

My location at this time, in the city of Glasgow, was not 
in a very fashionable street, being on the lower part of the 
old town. 

All the wealthy merchants had moved up into what was 
called the " New City ;" thus the houses where the rich 
once lived had become the houses of the poor. 

But the house where I was lodging had never been the 
abode of the rich, only when they were brought there to be 
burned at the stake. 

On one side of the court were three blocks of stone where 
the martyrs were chained and burned. In the center of the 
court stands the house, with massive walls of stone 9 feet 
thick. An archway extends through the center of the honse, 
large enough to admit the passage of carriages. 

In the cellar are stone benches which were used as beds 
for the poor victims. 

It was a hard time for the poor ; coal was not to be had ; the 
country was in arms ; soldiers were marching in all direc- 
tions. Smith O'Brien had moved all Ireland, as well as 
part of England. Scotland was impatient to join the fracas. 
The king of France had fled, and landed at Holyrood palace 
where the queen had given him shelter. 







THE HERMIT. 17 C^p 

Public places were closed, and the streets blockaded to 
keep out the mob. 

I had been up all night, finishing some fancy mats for the 
Mirthley Castle, and just as the sun was lighting up the noisy 
streets, my old landlady opened the door and in mournful 
tone said, "John I want you to take breakfast with me ihis 
morning ; it is just three years since my husband died and I 
do not like to be alone." I consented, and, as we were par- 
taking her bounties, the street criers were shouting in all 
tones, and voices; here comes an old Jew, shouting out "old 
clothes." 

"What is that, is it coal, John ?" said the old woman, "that 
is all the coal I have," she continued, " it was not so when 
Tom was alive, Lord bless his soul," and crossing herself, 
she prayed for the Lord to send her relief, and I know not 
how long she would have continued, had I not interrupted 
her by saying, "Mrs. Cordon, there is a rap at the street door, 
shall I answer it ?" 

"No," she said, "it is only that drunken grany again," and 
catching up the broom, off she started towards the door. 

I was expecting to see her return with a "drunken jade," 
as she called her, but what was my surprise on hearing her 
sa y> " your feet must be cold laddie, I have a pair of old 
shoes, and John will give you a pair of hose, won't you 
John ?" and she led into the room a boy, with a few bundles 
of sticks under his arms ; he had neither shoes or stockings, 
although the ground was white with snow. 

"My lad," said I, "sit down and I will see what can be 
done for you." He drank a cup of tea that the landlady 
had placed before him, but .refused to eat ; ',' are you not 
hungry? ©at if you can, you are welcome to my part; put 
those sticks on the fire, I will pay for them." "Thank you, 




sir," he said. "Where do you live ? is your father alive ?" 
" My father is in heaven where I shall soon meet him.'' 
"Your mother, where is she ?" at that name he turned deathly 
pale, and gave a slight groan ; my conscience smote me, I 
had done wrong to wound so young a heart. 

My sympathy was kindled for the little fellow, and turning 
around towards the landlady, said, " have you not a bed 
on which your own little boy died ? let this one have it and 
I will meet all the expenses. As soon as the lad had re- 
vived, I said, " if you will stay with me, I will be your 
father, until you meet your other father in heaven." The 
tears started down the little boy's cheeks, and catching 
my hand, he said, " you are very kind, but God will not let 
me trouble you long ; my earthly wants are nearly over ; in 
heaven there is no suffering, for Jesus siys, he will feed all 
without money and without price." 

T felt ashamed that one so young should teach me such 
lessons of trust and love toward the blessed Savior. By this 
time the landlady had prepared a warm bath, and as I was 
undressing him, I discovered his back and limbs were black 
and swollen, caused by recent beatings. Upon my question- 
ing him, he said, " it was done with a man who lived 
with his mother," he said his mother was not what she used 
to be, but was drunk all the time, and lived with this wicked 
man." 

As soon as he was asleep, I searched his clothes and found 
a silk purse, which contained four shillings, two and one half 
pence ; on one side of the purse were these words, " Some- 
times think of me." I also found a hymn book and a small 
brush, which the laddie gave me when he died shortly after, 
and I have them now, at the Hermitage, among my few 
treasured things. 



id) 





The laddie still being quiet, I left him in the landlady's 
charge, and then started for some new clothes. The whole 
city was in an uproar; the riot act had been read, and the 
soldiers had had orders to clear the streets. 

I went through Throne Gate, and reached High street. 
T saw a large crowd flying in all directions. To go en was 
not to be thought of; therefore I turned into old Venell 
street, which was more peaceful. 

Here I saw an old man struggling for life, his face was 
clotted with blood, and his clothes- were torn to rags ; in a 
feeble voice he asked for help; but just at this time, an old 
woman came up with her dress converted into a basket, 
which was filled with bits of cheese, candles, coal and old 
iron, which she had picked up in the streets. "Help ?" she 
said, " I know that voice, rascal, find help you gave me ; 
when my poor husband died, you turned me and my five 
little children into the streets, for only six months rent, and 
then while wandering about, sleeping sometimes on their 
father's grave, my little darling froze in its mother's arms ; 
bleed on 'till the last drop of blood shall have flown from 
thy veins ; stay thy hand grievous death, and let him die a 
thousand deaths in one." At this she moved on, muttering 
horrid curses upon the head of McEagin. The mob had 
broken into his store, and, finding him hid in a large box, 
dragged him out by the hair of his head, and trampled him 
under their feet. 

At last I arrived at the Jews' quarters. I had not gone far 
before I was saluted, and asked if I wished to trade ? "I will 
sell you a suit of clothes very cheap, please walk in." I 
stepped into the room which was very dark, the windows 
being boarded, but soon the gas was lighted, and I pur- 
chased a suit of clothes for £3, and started for home. The 






^~— - - . 

THE HERMIT. 




soldiers had cleared the streets, but I received a blow from 
a brick that was thrown from the top of a house by a rebel, 
otherwise I arrived safely home. 

The morning had been stormy and the waves of the sea 
were rolling mountains high. 

As I opened the door of the house, I perceived the land- 
lady upon her knees, pleading with the advocate above, for 
a disobedient son, whom the father had put away some 
years before his death, and she had never heard of him since, 
and like Jacob, she was going down to the grave and weep- 
ing because he was not. As I listened to her from the out- 
side of the closet, these words fell upon my ear : "Almighty 
Father, thou that sway est the universe as if it were nothing, 
say to these proud waves, be still, for the sake of my poor 
wanderer ; Lord, it is enough, upon me let thy anger fall, 
only restore my only son. His father has crossed the 
river, and landed safe on the other side. His brother, my 
little darling has tuned his harp with the throng above; and 
I am lingering on the banks till these few sands of time drop 
out, and shall one which thou hast given me be wanting? O 
heavenly Father, spare his life till he has made his peace 
with Thee. This night let another name be enrolled in thy 
everlasting record book, and thine shall be the glory forever." 

As soon as the old lady had finished her prayer, I re- 
sumed work on the mats. 

The boy was &till asleep and seemed very much wearied. 
I told the old lady that I hoped he'd not die, for he 'would be 
a great comfort to me in my old age. 

Soon, however, the boy awoke, and looking around, in- 
quired for his clothes. " I have burned them,", I said " but 
here are some new ones for you, I saved all that was found in 
your pockets and here they are." 



■&• 






^ — - 

THE HERMIT. 





He arose and seemed to be refreshed, but his cough told 
plainly that his earthly career was nearly over. I tried to 
cheer him, and as he was fond of music, I commenced to 
sing, and as I was singing, " There is a fountain filled with 
blood," &c, he tried to join me, but his breath failed him. 
When a I "'had finished, he asked me, "if I had ever been 
washed in that fountain?" Those words went like daggers 
to my heart ; I could not speak and he continued, " I know 
that fountain is open for all, for Jesus died that we might 
live." Yes, indeed, the lad spoke truly, for Christ Jesus 
.himself, says, "Whosoever will may come," and dear friends, 
one and all, he says, " Now is the accepted time." 

The next morning I received a letter from Lady McDon- 
ald, asking me to' come, and spend a few Weeks with her, till 
the rebels were put down, and enclosed with the letter was 
£5 to defray expenses. 

I wrote immediately and told her just how I was situated, 
and in a few days, a hamper, loaded with provisions and two 
blankets, arrived for the boy from Lady McDonald. The 
boy being no better, I sent for Dr. Duff, who, after examin- 
ing him, said he had not many days to live. When the boy 
heard this, he said he wished to see his mother and two sis- 
ters who were living in fcMinburgh. The boy's bruises were 
very bad, and the Dr. wished me to go with him and find the 
inhuman monster and have him arrested. 

The next morning we started on the seven o'clock train, 
and reached the capital at nine o'clock. 

We took a cab and requested the driver to leave us at the 
Horse Wind, near the New Gate. The man looked at us 
and said he was afraid to go there again, as the last time 
he was there he came near being killed, and his horse and 
cab were badly damaged. 



<==)- 





THE HERMIT. 




We calmed his fears, and started off through the grass 
marked into a narrow street, where the old dirty houses 
of five or six stories, together with the old rubbish of all 
kinds and descriptions lying around, and the squallid set 
of people plainly told of " Poverty, hunger and dirt." 

Soon the driver stopped and pointed up to a narrow 
alley and said, ''Gents, that is the house," we paid him, and 
off he started at full speed, as if he was afraid to stay, 
and judging from appearances, I should not blame him for 
it was really the worst place I ever visited, and I have 
never seen the like since. 

After some difficulty we reached the house, judging from 
the boy's descriptions. After we had rapped several times, 
the door was opened. I started back, for before me stood a 
being, whether male or female it was hard to say. An old 
red shawl and ragged petticoat comprised the clothing of 
this person, but judging from the long matted hair, which 
very much resembled a cow's tail, we concluded it was a 
woman. 

She stared at us like a mad tigress, and when I asked if 
the master of the house was in, she said, " And what may 
you want of Master Jazman ?" " I wish to see him," I re- 
plied, "and that as soon as possible, for we wish to return by 
the six o'clock train." 

At this she started down a narrow passage and said, " out 
with the gas, lads, at the door are two bobbies* from Glas- 
gow." Hold your blathering tongue," cried a voice from 
within, " they are neither bobbies nor policemen, for they'd 
never stop to rap, the house would have been searched, and 
we handcuffed and off to the stone jug long before this, if they 
had been. 

* Disguised Policemen. 






THE HERMIT. 

A young man now came up the passage with one eye 
swollen, and the other bandaged, and a large cut across his 
face. After taking a look at us, he returned apparently 
satisfied ; the old woman came back rubbing her face with 
a dish cloth, and looking more like the evil one than ever ; 
she went to the foot of a large stone stairway and called 
several times, at length a feeble voice replied, " What is it 
Sue?" "Here are two strangers waiting for you." "Tell 
them I am engaged," he said. "They are from Glasgow and 
wish very much to see you." "Well I'll try and c*ome down, 
but Sue, show them up here, my gout is so bad." Then she 
said, " This way if you must see the old crone, but you'll not 
get much out of him, I guess, he is not the man to inform on 
his lodgers, they pay too well for that." 

On reaching the head of the stairs, we were lead across a 
large hall, and ushered into the presence of the Jazman. 

The old man was sitting by the fire, with his feet resting 
on a soft cushion, he was badly afflicted with the gout. 

" Walk in and shut the door," he said. We did so, and 
were soon engaged in the object of our visit. 

The Dr. commenced by telling him we had come to in- 
quire concerning a poor boy who had been abused in his 
house, and to see his mother, who, we understood was lodg- 
ing there. The old man said, " that the lodgers were often 
engaged in fighting, but he left all those things to Sue. 
What is the boy's name ? " Tyran," replied the Dr. "Tyran ? 
Tyran, did you say ?" he eagerly asked, and clasping his 
hands, the tears flowing down his cheeks, said, " Lord have 
mercy on his wicked soul. Did you not know that the 
woman had killed herself and child? Dads was a cruel 
woman and would abuse herself and her children to a most 
shameful and wicked extent ; and as the shades of last nijjht's 







-e* 



THE HERMIT. 





sun-set were falling over the city, she stole away to the 
outskirts of the town, and in a dark lane, cut her poor dar- 
ling's throat with a sharp razor, and then with the same in- 
strument put an end to her own existence. 

We asked the old man a few more questions, but he could 
tell us little concerning the man. 

He said he had rented his garret for two years to the 
woman, and she had been very faithful in paying her 
weekly half crown. j : 

We then took our leave of the landlord ; on our way down 
stairs, we saw two young men running from the house, 
closely followed by Sue with a poker in her hand, just then 
she said, " you had better not come back here till you bring 
some money, burning my coal at two shillings per hundred, 
and the gas"— -here my attention being so taken up with 
the old woman, I stumbled and fell head long over the heads 
of two young women, who were sitting on the stairs ; I im- 
mediately asked their pardon, but they would hear nothing 
of pardon, one said she wished I'd broke my neck ; the other 
" wondered if Glasgow folks had nothing to do, but to run 
after an old fool of a woman ; if she was tired of life, it 
was a good plan to get rid of herself." 

" Poor woman," said the Dr. " I pity your ignorance." — 
" I ask no pity at your hands ; — no pity I give, no pity I 
crave ; as I have made my bed so let me lie ;" then turning 
to the others, she continued, "you may think me mad, you 
may think me crazy; I am neither;" striking her breast with 
her hands, she said, " within this breast once breathed a 
woman's heart, and in that heart a woman's love, but that 
love has been abused, my spirit is broken, my blood freezes 
in their veins ; I was deluded from my father's house, by a 
young man, who left me in this den of infamy, my poor old K) 







*s - - g 8 ; 

THE HERMIT. 

mother died of grief for her only child, my father weeping 
still prays for the return of his lost daughter. I have harden- 
ed my heart and drowned my griefs in the cursed cup. But, 
oh I hardened as I am, I still sometimes think of my former 
home, and oh ! I sigh for one hour's peace, such as I used to 
have in my father's house." 

" Poor girl," said I, " where does your father live ? I will 
go and see him, and do anything to restore you to his loving 
embrace." 

" My father lives on the farm of Gowenbray." " What, is 
his name James Lawrence ?" cried the Dr., " and is this 
my old friend, — the lovely Sally ? — my joy will be com- 
plete if I can return you safe to your father's arms. I 
saw your mother when she breathed her last. I heard 
her last words, as she breathed a prayer for you. Her spirit 
is still pleading at the throne of grace for your redemption. 
Stay no longer in this place of hell, go with us and we will 
place you safe in your father's house. Let there be joy in 
heaven this night over one strayed sheep that has returned 
to the shepherd's fold." 

" I will arise and go to my father, I will no longer feed 
upon the husks of wickedness." At this her companion 
burst into tears and said, " Sally, do not leave me here, we 
have been friends for several years. O, don't leave me." 
The old woman let her poker fall as though a thunderbolt 
had struck her, and turning to Sally, she said, " What is the 
matter, I never heard you talk like this before ?" But the 
Dr. interrupted her by saying, "We must be going." At 
this, Sally's companion wept bitterly and said she must not 
leave her. " I will not," said Sally, "you have shared my 
sorrow, you shall share my joy. In my father's house there 
is room, and he will be your father too." 



*=e — . — — ^ 





THE HERMIT. 



We then took leave of the old woman. The Dr. wished to 
be present at the inquest to be held over the dead bodies, 
so at his request I returned witli the girls to his house. 

The Dr.'s wife, who was a very kind woman, wished to 
see the boy, so leaving the girls there, I went with her to 
my lodgings. When we entered the court, we saw a coach 
and six standing at the door, which I recognized as that 
of Lady Fitz Gerald of Drummond Castle. 

This lady was very rich, and spent a great share of her 
income in relieving the poor, and a much better way than 
to be making a great display to satisfy vanity. 

In all large cities, my friends, and even in some of the 
small towns, are many who, when night comes, have no 
where to lay their heads. I am poor, but when I cast in 
my mite to help any sufferer, I feel as if God would re- 
store it ten fold. " Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou 
shalt find it after many days." Eccl. xi. 1. 

The Dr. returned in the afternoon, and after examining 
the boy, said he could live but a few days. 

The Sheriff ordered the arrest of the man and offered £20 
to any one who would cause his apprehension. 

The mother's tragedy had caused great excitement, and 
such crowds flocked to the house, that a guard had to be 
stationed before the door to prevent accidents. 

The bodies of the mother and the child were taken to the 
" White Hart," the ladies of St. Mary's convent taking 
the charge of them there. 

The mother was laid out on the left side of the room, as 
she was a murderess, and the child on the right side, robed 
in white satin, with a wreath of white flowers twined about 
her head ; she looked more like an angel than a murdered 
child. 







THE HERMIT. 




A plate was placed on either side to receive subscrip- 
tions, which was soon filled. Such a murder had never 
happened in Scotland before. 

Saturday the bodies were carried to the convent ; the lit- 
tle child was placed at the foot of the altar to be dedicated 
to the Virgin. Sunday they were buried. After the proces- 
sion left the Convent, they marched to north bridge, where 
they separated, and the ladies bearing the infant's coffin 
passed through, then the mother's coffin and the crowd fell 
in, to the number of five thousand, and marched to the 
grave. After the coffins were lowered to their narrow rest- 
ing place, the Dr. stepped forward and said, " The scene is 
not ended, the tragedy is not finished, in a few days another 
poor sufferer, the only son of this poor woman, will close his 
life of suffering, caused by this same cruel monster , who is 
the real murderer of this woman and child ; his earthly wants 
are nearly over, soon his soul will wing its flight to join 
his mother in the arms of Jesus." 

The Captain of the police said that everything should be 
done that could be to secure this monster of wickedness. 

Lady Fitz Gerald had kindly cared for the boy, while I 
was at the funeral, which being over I returned to him. 

The Countess Selkirk and the S. S. children came soon 
after ; the boy smiled and asked them if they had come to 
see him pass over to Jordan, to Canaan's happy shore. 

He asked if some one would pray, and a noble looking 
youth stepped forward and taking his hand, sent up a peti- 
tion that might make many a minister blush in silence. He 
said that that night there w r ould be a great banquet in hea- 
ven ; the King of kings was seated on his throne of love ; 
angels with their crowns laid at the feet of Jesus, were waiting 
to receive the new born heir into the kingdom of heaven. 






(1) 




THE HERMIT. 



As soon as he had finished, the countess set her harp to 
the beautiful tune of Auburn, and the children joined with 
their clear voices with the words : — 

" Come let us join our cheerful songs, 
With angels round the throne, &c." 

While they were singing he fell into a sweet sleep, and 
the countess laid aside her harp. 

He lingered along until the next night, when he opened 
his eyes, and looking towards heaven said, — " Jesus, come." 
I started and caught his hand, but all was over ; his spirit 
had departed, and we imagined we could hear from the por- 
tals of the sky a sweet voice saying, " Another pearl of|love 
set in the Redeemer's crown." 

His death was published in all the city papers, and I re- 
ceived several letters containing money to defray expenses. 
Sabbath was appointed for his funeral. At an early hour, a 
procession was formed of nearly forty carriages, including 
Lady Fitz Gerald and the Countess Selkirk. The carriage 
containing the corpse was trimmed with white flowers and a 
white velvet banner with a painting in the center represent- 
ing the angels winging their flight through thick clouds to 
receive his pure spirit into the realms of happiness. 

On our way we met a large procession, bearing several 
banners, on one of which were the words : — " No drunkard 
can enter the kingdom of heaven." 

As we halted a choir met us and commenced singing : — 

" Thou art worthy Lord to receive, &c." 

When they stopped singing a minister stepped forward 
and said he wished to say a word, not for the dead but to 
the living. 



«_£> _ & 






THE HERMIT. 




He commenced with these words, " When Jesus therefore 
saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came 
with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled." John 
xi. 33. When he closed his excellent remarks scarcely a 
dry face could be seen in that assembly. 

When we reached the new made graves of the mother and 
sister, we laid the poor boy to rest beside them. I was the 
last to leave his grave ; sad, indeed, was my heart, he seem- 
ed so pure and loving. O, if he could only come and lay my 
gray head beneath the dust, but that can never be. He was 
too rich a jewel to shine in this sinful world, and now 
r he blooms in the beautiful garden of heaven. He told me 
he would look down from heaven and pray for me, and I 
sometimes think he does. It is a blessed thought at least, 
and one that would inspire every one to a noble life, if they 
would only trust and believe. 

My friends, be not weary of well doing; God will bless 
you in this world, and in the world to come ye shall receive 
a crown of everlasting glory. 

About three months after the death of my adopted son, 
I received a letter from Edinburg summoning me to appear 
at the court of justice on the next Monday. I did not like 
to appear in court, so I consulted the Dr. who had received 
a like summons, and we decided that it was best to go. The 
next Monday found us in the court room. 

After the disposing of a few cases, we were informed that 
the next one was the one on which we had been summoned 
as witnesses. The door opened, and in was lead a mere 
dwarf of a man. Our astonishment was great ; we expected 
to see a giant almost. 

A charge of brutality was read ; the prisoner listened un- 
til it concluded, then said, he had often been intoxicated, 




*zB' 





THE HERMIT. 

and had trouble with the woman, but the boy he knew nothing 
about, therefore he pleaded " Not guilty." 

The witnesses were then examined ; the first being the 
little boy's sister, a beautiful child of nine summers. 

The judge asked her if she had ever seen that man be- 
fore. She, trembling at the sight of him, said, " Yes, he has 
often kicked me, and I still carry the marks upon my per- 
son ; I have seen him drag my brother by the hair of his 
head and kick him down stairs." After examining the other 
witnesses, the judge pronounced him guilty, and sentenced 
him to six years penal servitude. 

When he was leaving the room, the woman, Sue, shouted 
out : " Cheer up, Jem, I will give you a hot supper before 
you go." The judge ordered her arrest, and sentenced her 
to six months servitude for contempt of court; thus she had 
plenty of time to prepare her hot supper. 

About this time I received an invitation to accompany a 
man and his wife on a visit to her son, who was confined in 
a certain prison. That night we started for the prison and 
soon found ourselves within its walls. After being examined, 
we were introduced to the governor, who was a real gentle- 
man, he was very kind to us ; lie said, he was sorry to in- 
form us, that the prisoner's conduct had been such, that he 
had brought upon himself two severe punishments ; he was 
now dying. My host said he was not the boy's father, 
and had no control over him. " But," said the governor, "you 
are to blame ; when you married his mother, you should have 
taken care of the fatherless boy ; but you turned him into 
the street, to starve or steal, and now he is dying in prison, 
and on your head rests the crime." 

Then he lead us to the hospital, which was a large room 
with twenty-five beds on either side. 







err 

THE HERMIT. 





On the farther side lay the youth ; as we approached his 
bed he did not notice us, but the mother stepping forward, 
said, " George, do you not know me ? " At this, he started 
and said, " Stand off ! you drove me to ruin, and are you 
come to torment me in my last moments ! hell is open for 
me, let me die." At this he uttered such a horrid list of 
oaths, that I was very sorry I had ever seen him. 

After he had become composed, he said, " Do somebody 
pray for me ; O ! is there none to help me through this 
dark valley ? " 

One person stepped up and said. " George, I'll try to in- 
troduce you to the throne of grace." We all joined with 
him in prayer, it has never been my fortune to hear 
elsewhere. While the tears were coursing down our cheeks, 
he was told to cling to Jesus ; if it was but the hem of his 
garments he touched, he would receive the sweet gift of 
forgiveness ; even as the dying thief, this man seemed to fall 
into the arms of Jesus. 

" But friends," he said, " never do as I have ; Oh ! for a 
little while to show to others the mercy of Jesus." Yes, 
come to Jesus now and enjoy his goodness while here below 
and his glory hereafter. 

The poor boy soon breathed his last, and the spirit re- 
turned to God who gave it. 

This prison contained two thousand five hundred men, 
nine hundred women, and seven hundred boys. 

Is there no way to prevent some of this misery ? Ah, 
yes ! when we shall have learned to be Christians, there 
will be no crime, or sorrow, but all will be peace and hap- 
piness. 

After the rebels had been put down, and the affairs of 
State settled, the Countess asked me to spend a few weeks 



^ & 





THE HERMIT. 




at the pavillion, but as I had a large lot of goods on hand, I 
thought it best to dispose of them as soon as possible ; there- 
fore I prepared for a trip among the railroad men, who were 
at work on the Caledonian railroad. It was in a wild coun- 
try containing no houses within sixteen miles, except the 
mud houses of the workmen. The character of the men was 
such that few travelers dared go among them, but I was de- 
sirous of trying my luck, and off I started. 

It was about fifty miles from Glasgow. I sent most of my 
goods on by coach to the nearest village. Taking a few 
fancy goods upon my back, I started on foot, intending to 
reach them the same day ; it was late in the fall and the 
scenery was beautiful. I had traveled about ten miles when 
I came to a toll bridge across the Clyde. 

Here I saw a woman, standing in the road holding a child 
in her arms ; she appeared to be in great distress, and as I 
drew near her, she cried, " Oh, sir, save my child, save my 
child ! " Her husband had died only a few hours before, in 
a drunken fight, her child was sick and she wished to cross 
the bridge for help, but for lack of a penny the toll-man 
would not let her cross. I handed her half a crown and told 
her she was welcome to that, and more if I had it to spare, 
but I had but little. The tears were flowing down her 
cheeks, but not for joy, for her child was just breathing his 
last. I spread a shawl upon the ground and placed the child 
on it. It smiled — its earthly troubles were o'er. 

Two ladies and a gentleman crossing the bridge at this 
time, took the mother and her child into their carriage and 
drove back two miles, where they buried the child, and 
found a home for the poor woman in a respectable family. 
She proved very faithful, and she was there when I left the 
country. 






THE HERMIT. 




After this I resumed my journey. As I reached the huts a 
large bell between two upright sticks struck and gave the 
signal for dinner. I was soon surrounded by about fifty 
rough specimens of humanity. One asked " Have you any 
thread, all my buttons are off my breeches." Another, " I 
want a knife." And as soon as I could hand out my goods, 
down came the money. The news reached the huts that a 
peddler was there, and out came women and children in all 
shapes and clothing ; one woman brought a plate of plum 
pudding, another of roast meat, another a bottle of rum, and 
r urged me to eat and drink. I took the meat and pudding, 
but the rum I refused, telling them that I preferred cold 
water. I staid here all night, being treated like a gentle- 
man. 

We left Polly and Sally at the Dr.'s house. I will not 
stop to tell you how they safely arrived at Sally's father's. 
But before I left Scotland, I made a visit to them. Some 
rich friend had died and left Polly a nice house and £500. 
Sally's father had died, but she was married and the mother 
of two children, namely, Providence and Consolation. When 
they thought of the degradation from which the Dr. and I had 
lifted them, they burst into tears, and, throwing their arms 
around my neck, said, " God bless the day when first you 
visited the Horse Wind." 

Thus ends what I call " my first wanderings." 

RETIREMENT. 

Solitude seemed pleasanter to me. I was tired of a busy 
world. I soon became a hermit, and lived over 20 years in 
different hired hermitages, and under the protection of dif- 
ferent Lords and Ladies. I will not in this book mention 
the different places or individuals. 



During this time I played the hermit's part some on the 
stage ; I will mention a fact, which occurred to me then ; I 
fell in with a band of gypsies, who were about to take what 
little valuables I had with me, and perhaps murder me, but 
one of their number recognized me, and said, " It is the her- 
mit," and from their superstitious reverence of that class of 
people gave me no further cause of alarm. Being again 
without a permanent abode, Lady McDonald, my old friend, 
of Keppeth Castle offered to make me gardener and give me 
a home for life, if I would renounce my faith, and become 
a Catholic. 

I do not wish to say anything against the Roman Catho- 
lics, for some of my best friends belong to that persuasion ; 
but I told the good lady, that although I thought her a good 
christian and that she was sincere, I could not change from 
what I thought my duty. I stayed with her a short time. 
Soon after I came to America. Lady McDonald has written 
to me here, and I hold her still as one of my kindest 
friends. 

After my first wanderings, and before I had become a 
hermit, as I have mentioned, my old landlady died, and I 
took a notion to remove to Edinburgh, as it was more quiet 
than Glasgow. My little wanderer was buried here also, 
and that made the city dearer to me. I took lodgings in the 
Cannon Gate, this street leads to the royal palace. Al- 
though that is nearly in ruins, there are some rooms of state 
yet 

It was in the time of the great Russian war. Her Majesty 
was then at Balmoral. The great Turkish Sultan had 
landed with his train of followers, at the Leith roads ; her 
Majesty held a royal banquet at the palace. As I was only 
a stranger, I was at a loss to know the reason why the 






THE HERMIT. 

street seemed all in a move with carriages. Turning to my 
landlady, I said, " Nanny, what is to be done at the palace 
to-night ? " She replied, " The Queen is on the throne with 
the Emperor of the French on her right, the King of Sar- 
dinia on her left, while the great Sultan is bending at her 
feet, asking help to blow up Sebastapol." As the last words 
fell from her lips, a cold shiver came over me. What a feast 
for crowned heads. 

Across the street lay a poor girl dying of consumption ; 
I had seen her a few days before. She told me all her life, 
and sore did she grieve at how she had spent it. The sis- 
ters of charity had been the means of her conversion ; as a 
brand from the fire, she was saved. As I perceived the 
room lighted, I said, " Nanny how is that poor girl across 
the street ? " '• This night she will be in heaven," she re- 
plied, so taking up my hat, I asked her to go with me. 
As we reached the door of the room where she lay, I heard 
her say, " Mother, leave me." She was a Lancasterian. 
They believe it impossible to die if any one is near who loves 
them. She thought the angels had come to take her spirit 
home.* So I composed the following lines : — 

0, leave me, mother, leave me, 
And let the angels come, 
*For round my bed they hover, 
To waft my spirit home. 

In yonder realms above, mothei , 
My Saviour waiting stands ; 
I feel his arms embrace me, 
O, leave me in his hands. 

Before we left she died. Two of her old companions stood 
by ; one wept sore, and said, " 0, let me catch thy spirit, it 
( )| will bear me safe through the clouds with you. 







THE HERMIT. 

As we left the house, I thought there was more joy in 
heaven over that garret, than all the banquet of the royal 
palace. She requested me to have a hymn sung as they let 
the coffin in the grave. She had selected a beautiful one, so 
I got some S. S. scholars with their teacher to fulfill her 
wish. 

But at the resurrection morn, 
With lustre brighter far, she'll shine, 
Reviv'd with ever 'during bloom, 
Save from diseases and decline. 

MY RICH UNCLE AGAIN. 

One day I was looking over a newspaper that had by chance 
fallen into my hands. My eye fell upon an advertisement in- 
quiring after my grandmother, stating if any of her children 
were alive, or the next relations, if they were to go to 
Glenmore, and ask for Mr. Robert Allen, they might hear 
of something of service to them. It did not make much effect 
on me, for I thought of the four hours in the stocks, that my 
old friend Tib and myself had by seeking for riches. My 
grandmother was dead, and where Tib was I knew not, so 
I gave it up. But in a few days, Lady McDonald sent me 
the same information, advising me by all means to go at 
once ; by her letter I found he had removed to another part 
of the country ; so I made up my mind to start on Monday 
again in search of this rich uncle. As I was in better cir- 
cumstances this time, I made better speed than on my first 
journey, and in three days reached the village, near where 
my rich uncle lived. It was far up in the hills of Bang- 
shire, 

As I entered the village, the people came out to gaze af- 
ter me, for in those days, there were no railroads, and few 



-&■ 







THE HERMIT. 



strangers to be seen. I entered the "Rest and be Thankful." 
I had a little acquaintance with the landlord. 

Some of the villagers came in, to inquire if I was going 
to give a lecture ; others if I wanted to take a farm ; some 
said I was a mountebank and would do wonders on the tight 
rope. I assured them that I answered to none of these pur- 
poses, but if they would come in the evening, I would sing 
a song with the landlord's permission, and show them the 
tragedy of the lost child, as I could do it, with the landlord's 
assistance ; they thanked me very politely, and said I was a 
right sort of a chap for to come among them. 

At night the house was full to the door, and good times 
we had of it too. I was sorry to leave them, for kinder 
hearts I never found ; they could give no information con- 
cerning my rich uncle, as he had not been long in the place ; 
but they said there was a Mr. Allen, a half crazed man, who 
lived five miles up Glenmore. It was an out of the way 
place ; and difficult to get at ; so I was very indifferent 
about going farther ; but the landlord said, he would send 
his boy with me to let me see the place. 

A long narrow glen- without any road hardly, led us to 
my rich uncle's. The people of this glen are the most ro- 
mantic of any I ever met. When about half way, we came 
to a man who had broken down with a load of hay ; there 
was a hollow place in the road and it had been filled up with 
rough stones, which were likely to break the strongest 
teams. I said to the man, " Shall I help you set yourself 
right ? " "I wush ye wud mon," he replied. So the lad 
and myself put to and got him set a going again. I said "the 
road was very bad," and asked if it would not be better for 
them to improve them for their own safety ? " Bles ye life 
mon, wud I be fule enuf foor to make a road fur others to 



-& 






make use uf ? No, it will do well enuf fur me, I can not be 
fashed with it." " So you would rather get your teams 
smashed up, and your horses legs broken before you would 
make a road for your neighbors ?" " They may make the 
roads as they like fur all me," he said, he " wunna going 
to be fashed with 'em," and with a crack of the whip across 
the poor old horse's back, he drove off. 

We soon came in sight of my rich uncle's. I gave the boy 
two shillings and dismissed him, for I thought it best to be 
alone at the interview. 

As I approached the house there seemed to be no person 
within ; I stood at the door and rapped till I was tired, so 
turning round the corner of the house, I saw a lad busy stuff- 
ing his pockets with gooseberries off from the trees ; at a 
distance a lot of pigs were rooting up the potatoes. I called 
to the boy ; he started and set his eyes on me in wild 
amazement. I said, " My lad, is this Mr. Allen's ?" " I guess 
it is," he replied. " Is he at home ?" I asked. " Wy ye I 
bleve so, who bese ye ? ye es baint the doctor? fur ye old 
one's craze, dunna yo kno ? " " And do you call your master 
crazy ? what are you doing, stealing his fruit, and letting 
the pigs destroy his potatoes ? " I said, " Does he pay you 
wages for that?" Off he was starting, when I asked him to 
let me see the way to the house. I told him I had stood at 
the door till I was tired. " Wy, mon, nobuddy gangs to 
that dure. I mun put these dan pigs out." " I will help 
you," I said, " and give you sixpence beside, if you will 
take me to Mr. Allen." Looking at me, he said, " I guess 
he wud put me down faster'n I went up ; and if Polly Stevens 
should see me off from the sheep she'd pull me lugs, (ears), but 
if you will give me the sixpence, I will put you to the kitchen 
door." " But who is this Polly Stevens ? " I asked. " Wy, 



-& 






THE HERMIT. 




mon, she be the oldoins dorter." " What ? " said I, " Is Mr. 
Allen married ? " "I ges he be en, but I never sene his wife.'' 
" Then it would be better for you to take me right to Polly 
Stevens," I said. " To Polly Stevens ! I ges, she'd put my 
head into my hands to play with," he said. 

As he was taking me through a long shed to the door, he 
pointed to a large deer, that was skinned and hanging up 
on a post, and said, " Polly Stevens killed it." " What ? " 
said I, "does Polly go a hunting?" "Wy no, mon, but 
she alaise takes the gun to plow with her." I started 
to think what kind of relations I was about to fall in with. 

As soon as we reached the door, he left me outside, 
and running through a narrow passage to the foot of a 
pair of stairs, he put his finger to his mouth and gave a 
loud whistle, when a voice answered, " What is it, Tom ?" 
" Wy, cume down Sail, wult ye, here is a mon wonts to see 
the masther." " What is he like ? " asked the female. " I 
dinna ken, he say he beant the doctor." " I'll be down when 
I get my hair up." " Cum down whilt, I mun be off to the 
shepe, before Polly cums," and off he started. In a few 
minutes down came the' maid, who asked me to go into the 
house ; after I had told her who I was, she shewed great 
respect to me; she said that Mr. Allen had just fallen asleep 
and to wake him up would make him boisterous ; so I said 
I would wait his sleep. She said she was only the servant ; 
but, " Why does his daughter not prefer to wait upon her 
father, instead of following the plow ?" She replied, "I dare 
say she is glad to be away from him, for when his fits come 
on, he is more like the evil one than a man." She said she 
had been engaged from a distance, but would leave as soon 
as her time was out. 

As soon as the old man woke up, the maid brought me in- 



^- 






THE HERMIT. 



to his presence as a relative. He was very deaf, and it was 
a long time before she could make him understand who I 
was. As soon as he heard that I was his sister's son, he 
tried to get up to meet me, but was not able, so I stepped 
forward and took his hand. He surveyed me from head to 
foot ; at last he spoke, " Yes, he is my sister's boy, he is." 
He said he had not been a true brother to my mother, but 
he "would make it all right with me, he would." He said he 
was rich, and on conditions " make a gentleman of me, so he 
would." At this he stopped, and I was looking out of the 
room window. I saw my fair cousin coming home from 
plowing, riding one horse and leading the other. 

She saw me as she passed to the stable. Like the rest, she 
also took me for the doctor, therefore she did not make any 
fuss about seeing me. She opened the door, and paying no 
attention to me, she went to her father and asked if she 
should bring his supper up, as she was hungry after a 
hard day's work. " Why, yes," he said, and pointing to me, 
continued, "this is your cousin, my sister Nancy's boy." At 
this she stepped forward and gave me her hand, which I 
took, and after a few words she got the supper on the table. 
She asked me if I had taken of any dinner since I came. 
Her father said we had been so busy talking, he never 
once thought of that. " But talking does not fill an empty 
belly," she said. I assured her I was not the least bit 
hungry. 

The old gentleman seemed to think every body was rob- 
bing him, even his own daughter. 

I stopped a week with my " rich uncle," and no word about 
the conditions, how I was to become his heir. 

At the end of the week, I told him I must return to the 
city again. He looked at me and said, he was rich, yes he 



-& 







-=e- 



THE HERMIT. 41 



was rich, and if Polly Stevens and I got married, it was 
ours, but if either one refused, neither of us should get one 
halfpenny of his money. 

He was not going to let it out of his family ; he said ail- 
though Polly Stevens was not his own daughter, he had 
married the mother, and Polly had saved him the expense 
of keeping a hired man. 

So if I chose to marry Polly, he would turn his money 
over to us at his death ; if not I might take my leave with- 
out a penny. 

I rose up and taking my hat in my hand, I very polite- 
ly told him, he might give his ill gotten riches to Polly as 
soon as he pleased, for I could not take her hand, as I had 
been disappointed already, and had made up my mind to 
marry no other. 

At this he burst out in such a rage, and bade me begone, 
and never see his face again. I went into the field where 
Polly was plowing ; she stopped her horses, and taking my 
hand said, "I guess father wants us to get married, but 
you need not trouble yourself, for I have promised to be 
Tommy Johnston's wife, and no other man's I'll be ; he may 
give you your portion for my part, and I say its right he 
should." I told her I liked her the better for her noble re- 
solutions ; so we parted. Polly went to plough, whistling as 
merry as a lark, while I made the best of my way out of the 
glen. 

I reached the tavern again, for to put over the night, for 
they were among the best hearted people I ever met with. 
The village people said if I would stop for a month they 
would pay all expense; but I was anxious to get farther 
away from my " rich uncle's." 

But shortly after he died, and Polly wrote me a letter 



-& 






THE HERMIT. 

that he had, after all, left me the sum of £50. She also 
asked me to attend the funeral, but I did not get the letter in 
time, so I did not go. I wrote to her and told her she had 
more right to the money than I, and wished her to keep it? 
but this she refused. 

In about a year after, she sent me an invitation to her 
marriage, which I accepted ; and Polly makes as good a wife 
for Tommy Johnston as ever the sun shone on. She handed 
me the fifty pounds " as a token of friendship between us," 
she siid. 

Before I left the country, I went to see her, and she met 
me with a young Polly, saying the next was to be called 
Tommy Johnston. 

WHY I CAME TO AMERICA. 

Many of my visitors ask me the reason why I came to 
America. If I were the first man to cross the Atlantic, the 
question might not seem so strange, but with the thousands 
who come yearly, it seems to me a foolish question. " But " 
they say, " you are a hermit." " But why," I ask, " should 
not a hermit have the same right in free America as in 
other countries ?" 

The reasons why I came to America, are simply these : — 
I gave up the idea of being a hermit any longer, and after 
spending a few weeks at Lady McDonald's, as I have al- 
ready mentioned, I took up my abode in a respectable lodg- 
ing house in Glasgow. 

I had not been many hours there, when four men came 
in and told me that they had taken passage in the " City of 
Cork" steamer for America, and that there was no place 
like America since the war. They advised me to join the 



■& 







"^ — — cr^ 

THE HERMIT. 

company and go along with them. The thought came into 
my mind, that I might drown all my old griefs in the pass- 
age, and begin a new life in a strange land. So I went 
with them and paid my fare to Liverpool, and the next day 
we were going mountains high upon a stormy ocean. 

For days we were fastened down below, to prevent being 
washed overboard. 

I thought of Jonah and the whale's belly, sometimes I 
fancied that I saw the sharp teeth going to take hold of me. 
At my side lay a young man from Old Ireland. I shall 
never forget poor Tom, for that was all of him I ever knew ; 
but I am sure that poor Tom was ready for death, let it 
come on sea or land. The door was opened as the storm 
was supposed to be past its height. I felt inclined to see 
what was going on upon deck, so getting on an overcoat, I 
asked Tom if he would go with me, but there he lay, with 
a hymn book of Wesley's, first singing and then praying. As 
Tom did not seem inclined to go, I staggered off myself ; I 
reached the deck ; but not to my dying day shall I forget 
the scene. The ship was" heaving up, between two moun- 
tains of waves. I fell -flat upon my face and the waves went 
over me. I made the best of my way with a bleeding nose, 
and a cut upon my head. As I reached the bunk, Tom lay 
still with his eyes upon the book. I said, " Tom, I think 
this night we shall see the bottom of the sea, instead of this 
glorious America." He replied, " I hope we shall land in 
heaven." I stumbled up into my nest beside Tom, and was 
going to look what he was so taken up with, for his eyes 
never left the book, but a side-breaker came, and smash 
went the windows ; the waters baptized Tom afresh ; a loud 
scream from the ladies' side told us they were still alive ; out 
of the bunk I fell and Tom and his book on the top of me ; I 







THE HERMIT. 





got bold of a cross beam, but wbether my bead or my beels 
was upmost, I was unable to tell ; I felt something holding 
fast round my waist ; so as soon as I could gain a sort of 
firm footing, I took a look to see what had got so firm a 
grasp, and to my astonishment, it was a lady. I said, 
" Madam, if I can render you any assistance I shall be hap- 
py to." " My children ! my children ! where are they ?" 
she exclaimed. " If you can compose yourself and keep hold 
of this beam," I said, " I will go in search of them." By 
this time Tom had got himself out of the rabble ; tables, 
barrels of crackers, and a little of everything was rolling up 
and down the floor. I got the number of the lady's birth and 
got Tom to try and compose her, while I went in search of the 
two children ; I staggered first to one side of the ship and then 
the other ; at length I found the apartment, but the only 
occupant was an old Irish woman, who was so busy at her 
beads, and calling for help from the Virgin, that she paid 
no attention to me, so I went from one place to another ; at 
length I found the boy. The poor little fellow was nearly 
trampled to death in a corner. I got him to his mother, and 
went in search of the little girl. She had been more fortu- 
nate, for one of the waiters had taken care of her. 

This lady told me she had crossed seven times, but she 
said she had suffered more during the past hour than 
through all the voyages. She was rich, and was going to 
Ohio ; she was kind to me, and pressed me to go on with 
her to her home, " where," she said, " she would repay me," 
but I thought of Betsey and the country I had left behind. 

After reaching New York, I took a notion to see Boston, 
and I had several letters to deliver to Scotch people in Bos- 
ton. I came by rail to Springfield. I stopped there a few 
days and did a little gardening. I took a rather round-about JO 





_— — — .. e =^ 

THE HERMIT. 





way, as I wished to see the country. I passed through 
Leverett and Locks Pond. As I hove in sight of Wendell, I 
beheld three spires, (or what I took for spires, there are but 
two), and I called it the city of three churches, for then I 
knew not its name, but I have since learned to know and 
love the old town. Tom came with me as far as Wendell 
depot, but he was a bad traveler, and here he gave up alto- 
gether and said, "Bad luck to the ship that brought me over, 
there's no place for me like Old Ireland." He was a carpet 
weaver and had friends in Philadelphia,* He said if he had 
the money he'd go to them. I made up what he was lack- 
ing his fare ; so I took leave of poor Tom, probably never 
again to meet in this world. God grant we may in the next 
in peace. 

The night came on me as I was half way between Orange 
and Athol. On the lower side of the road I saw a shed, 
into it I crept and scraped what dry rubbish I could get to 
make a sort of bed ; as I had a good rug which served for my 
bed in the ship, I was not so bad off; I soon fell asleep, but 
before morning, I thought the shed would be down on the 
top of me, for I was Woke up by the peals of thunder that 
shook the ground. The lightning was truly dreadful. As 
soon as the day began to dawn, I set off again. The town 
of Athol was all asleep as I passed through ; I liked the 
appearance of the place, for it looked beautiful in its slum- 
bers. I little thought then, that I should ever become so 
well acquainted with its inhabitants, for I truly say the 
people of Athol are amongst the noblest who come to the 
castle ; the sons of Athol appear like gentlemen, her daugh- 
ters like ladies. I wish I could say the same for some 
nearer home. I next took up my lodging in a vault near 
Westminster; the door was open, and being by the way- |0 



^ & 





• *~t — g^ 

THE HERMIT. 

side, I never thought of its being a place for the dead till 
the next morning as I took the road. At a short distance 
stood a building with a padlock on the door outside. What 
can be in here ! I wondered ; seeing a window on the far 
side — thinks I, I'll take a peep in ; so up I got, but to my 
surprise, there stood a hearse clad in plumes of mourning. 
A chili came over me, for I had slept all night in some dead 
man's grave. The next night I slept at the church horse- 
sheds in Briton, and early the next morning I reached 
Boston. I went up one street and down another in looking 
for lodgings, as the way is, in Old Scotland the people hang 
a board out at the window, with " lodgings" on, so that 
strangers may apply by seeing the sign ; but as I could see 
none, I gave it up for a bad job, ind was pushing my way 
down Richmond street, towards a lot of masts of ships, which 
I could see at a distance, for I began to get tired of this way 
of tumbling about. So I was thinking as I had still more 
money than would pay my fare back again, if there were a 
ship ready to sail for old Glasgow, I would bid adieu to 
this glorious country, as it had been represented to me. I 
did not see much glory in it. I had got half way down Rich- 
mond street, when I perceived a sign in a window — " Break- 
fasts and dinners at the shortest notice." Why, thinks I, 
this is something like home, and as I am hungry, I will peep 
inside; so stepping inside, I met a fat woman, not very clean 
in her dres3. At her ears hung two gold bits, which I saw 
were English. I asked for breakfast. She at once took my 
hand, and gave me a hearty welcome, for says she — " You 
are from Scotland." The tears fell from her eyes, as she 
related to me her sorrows ; for in Greyfriars' churchyard, 
Edinburg, lay her only child ; the waves of the Atlantic roll 
over her husband, for he died on his voyage. 







*e- 



-^s* 



THE HERMIT. 




Her troubled mind seemed to agree well with my own. 
She got me a good breakfast, and said she had two beds 
unoccupied, and that I was welcome to one of them if I 
chose. She was from Belfast, Ireland, but had been a long 
time in Scotland. 

After visiting a few Scotch families, I took a notion to 
go out into the country, and as the old woman said I could 
do well by picking blue berries and selling them in Boston, 
I thought I would start on Monday for the berry fields ; so 
I took the way out to New Salem, and wandered out to 
Locks Pond, where I found the rattlesnakes' gutter. There 
is a cave there also, but it is not so well off for water and 
fire-wood as this, but the people are much better, and lots of 
them come over still to see me in this castle. I often re- 
gret leaving Leverett and Locks Pond. 

As soon as the blueberries were over, the Boston people 
said I must gather grapes and chestnuts, at last they set me 
on to make wreaths, for they took a liking for the old Scottie 
as they called me. It was these wreaths that first brought 
me to this place, for when I was on the other side of the 
river gathering blackberries, I used to look at the rocks, 
and thought some day to take a chance and see them, if no 
one saw me ; when I began to make wreaths I thought it 
would be a very good way for to get up into the woods, so 
I passed through Erving one evening with my blanket on my 
back, coffee kettle also, as is the way in the old country. As 
I passed the tavern some low rowdies shouted and hooted 
after me, but I paid no attention, and passed on. As I 
came near to the woods, I saw a barn with a house in ruins. 
Some boys were driving the cows home from a field at the 
back of the barn. So I passed on as though I would go 
further, not to let them see me go into the barn, for as the 






-=s- 



-s^ 



THE HERMIT. 



conduct of those I passed in the village was not good, these 
might be the same. 

As soon soon as they were out of sight, I turned back to 
the barn. It wa3 in pretty good condition then, so I got 
some hay together into a corner, and spread my blanket and 
slept well till morning. I then took out my coffee kettle, 
and made a iire some distance from the barn, near the river 
side. As I was boiling the coffee, a young lady passed by. 
She gave a glance at my breakfast fashion and passed on. 
This lady was what might be called handsome, both in her 
looks and in her manners, for she had both. When I had 
got breakfast over, I set off through the woods. It was not 
an easy job then, for the rubbish was desperate. How I 
got to this place I never can find out, for on my way I saw 
curious places that I have never seen since. I left my 
blanket and coffee pot at a rock near the foot of a wood. 
When I came to this rock I saw the water coming out of it. 
"Why," said I, "this is the rock that Moses smote in the 
wilderness. If ever there was a place for a hermitage, here it 
is, certainly. 

As it was late in the Autumn, I thought it would be bet- 
ter to put the Winter over in Boston, and as I had not made 
my purse any less, 1 thought by knitting I should be able 
to stand the storm, and to come here early next Spring. So 
as a token of safety, I left a pint tin in the cave ; if the tin 
was there when I came back, I should stop, if not I would 
go to Locks Pond again 

In the month of March I came back, by the way of Mon- 
tague this time, not to let the Erving boys know, for I saw 
from the first time they had not much manners. 

The snow was on the ground, but it soon went away. I 
kept on a good fire, and as there were plenty of trees close 





-&- 





THE HERMIT. 





by, it was not very hard. I brought coffee, sugar and a lot 
of crackers from Boston, and then set out for Wendell vil- 
lage, where I bought more, for I did not like to go to Erv- 
ing, as I thought them to be a rough set, by what I saw of 
them, and I am very sorry to say that some of them have 
proved themselves so to be. Till the blue berries were ripe, 
I kept on knitting, and went off to Boston with the stockings, 
when I got twelve pair ; I always found a ready market for 
them. 

How much happier was I then than I am now ! I often re- 
gret to think that 1 this quiet sort of life should have been 
abused. Before I was discovered, I found the cave like a 
heaven below, but now it is often the scene of hell. I" do not 
object to visitors, but rather encourage them. But to see a 
lot come here drunk ; others destroy all they can lay their 
hands on ; some bring their dogs and ail my garden is de- 
stoyed with them ; others pull up the flowers and plants by 
the roots ; and if I tell them not. I only get abuse. Hermit- 
ages in other countries are religious institutions ; the great- 
est blackguard would not harm a hermit. I often wonder 
America should be so void of the sense of hermits. But as 
I said before, I do enjoy to see gentlemen and ladies, and 
many who come here prove themselves such. 

When I was discovered here it was on a Saturday, about 
December. The snow had been on the ground for a week 
or more. I seldom went out except it was for water or 
sticks ; I had got a heap of sticks gathered at some distance 
from the cave, and in going out for them had made quite a 
track ; a man by the name of Samuel Dirth was out plan- 
ning a road for to bring lumber down, and on seeing the 
beaten path, could not understand what was going on. 

I was busy at the time driving a nail into the old tree 



«^- 





THE HERMIT. 




which then stood at the mouth of the cave, for to hang a rug 
up or to screen the wind from blowing the smoke contrary. 
I had a stone in my hand, for hammer I had none. 

" Hallo !" said a voice outside ; I responded, and down 
went the stone, nail, rug, and I, altogether. 

In a minute or so I collected my thoughts, and starting up 
to my feet, thinks I — It is the landowner or forester ; it is 
as well for me to try and see him, and state how I have in- 
truded upon his land, — but not a sign of a man appeared to 
enter. I stepped out, but to my great astonishment the man 
was going as fast as his legs could carry him. What to do 
I was at a loss to know ; I sat stupid. To go to Boston would 
take all the money I had to put over the winter, and I had 
bought nearly enough flour and meal to last the storm. 

To carry it back to the rattlesnake gutter was one 
thought. 

As I was a stranger in this country, I was at a loss what 
to do ; for in Scotland it is a serious crime to be trespass- 
ing in the woods, owing to the game laws. 

But the day went by and no sign of a man appeared ; 
Sunday passed in the same way. 

I began to think it must be a ghost, for [ had come across 
a heap of bones a few days before, but after a full survey of 
them I concluded they must have been beast's bones. 

On Monday morning I got up, thinking it must have 
been a man gathering chestnuts, or something like myself. — 
So taking up my knitting, I set to work again and sang as 
I worked, * some of my favorite tunes, " Balerma," "Old 
Hundred," " Jerusalem," " Comfort," ' ; Rockingham," and 
the like. 

I had not sat long before I heard some one talking, so 
getting up, at a distance I saw three men approaching; 




<*&■ 





THE HERMIT. 

one had an ax, another a spade, the third a pick. What, 
can these be the constables, thought I ? What rough 
weapons they must carry in this country. 

At last one ventured to approach a little nearer, he stood 
in the door of the cave, till I bid him come in. 

After a few words I found him to be a very sociable 
young fellow, he asked the other two to come also, and af- 
ter a little explanation on my part, they seemed satisfied 
and went to work. 

The man Samuel Dirth, has always been like a father to 
me, and told me I might make a home on his grounds if any 
thing occurred to remove me from here. 

The other two are still among my best friends. 

The news reached the village and soon some ladies found 
the way up ; rough as it was, it did not frighten them. I 
many times think the women of America are a much braver 
cast than the men ; at least I like them much better. 

Sunday came and the place was crowded ; some of the 
best young men brought a board each ; others brought pro- 
visions ; these were not the rich people of Erving, but those 
who worked for their daily bread. Some of them put up the 
boards for to screen the wind ; but they were not long before 
some of the baser sort, when I was absent, destroyed all 
they could lay their hands on ; twice have they pulled down 
the place ; they have stopped up the road ; one even stood 
and demanded pay from visitors. The selectmen have done 
nothing to prevent it. Some have spread false reports to 
other places about the " Old Hermit." 

They have put taxes on me, which I pay each year. 
Some suppose I have received remuneration for damages — 
as I should — but this is not so. 

But why go on — though I might write more — and every 



-& 







THE HERMIT. 

word be true — this is in the past — and as I wish the Al- 
mighty and ever blessed Father, through his only Son, my 
Redeemer to forgive me — so by the help of that blessed 
Saviour, I will try to forgive. 

I will add that amongst those who have most abused me, 
are some who having become better acquainted with me, have 
used me very kindly, and behave here like gentlemen — and I 
often repeat the prayer of a certain lady who on this very rock 
in a prayer meeting, earnestly asked the Giver of all good to 
abundantly pour out his spirit on this town, that every heart 
might be touched. She prayed earnestly — and with strong 
faith — and she said if we had but faith as a grain of mus- 
tard seed, every soul in Erving would be converted ; she 
prayed that this rock might become the temple of the living 
God. May the Great Jehovah answer this. 

SABBATH MORNING. 

Again the day of rest returns with balmy incense from its 
Lord; another week of our pilgrimage is o'er; what silence 
reigns within these rocks — as if the majesty of heaven was 
going to descend as upon Sinai's height ; the spot is grand 
and beautiful ; 'tis an everlasting feast to look on the beau- 
ties of nature and exclaim — " The earth is the Lord's and 
the fulness thereof; — and who shall set the bounds of his 
habitation." But this quietness will soon be broken — for at 
a distance I hear the noise of some intruders. What a pity 
the house of God could not draw them to the fountain of 
living waters ; instead of coming to drink where they are 
not satisfied. 







^ — — , e=* 

THE HERMIT. 



LOCATION. 

The Castle is situated in the midst of a forest of some 
400 acres, about a mile and a half northwest of Erving cen- 
ter ; those stopping at the depot can obtain conveyance from 
the hotel, which is kept by the accommodating and hos- 
pitable F. S. Hagar, — meals can be obtained there and also 
at the foot of the hill, where cars will stop if passengers 
wish to visit the hermitage. 

The cave itself is situated at the foot of an immense wall 
of granite, facing the south, which rises by broken steps as 
it recedes, until it terminates in a mountain of rock, remind- 
ing one of the couplet, 

" Hills peep o'er hills, 
And Alps on Alps arise." 

The scenery is grand, majestic — the sublimity of these 
works not only reminds me of the romantic Highlands of my 
native Scotland, but my own spirit is in harmony with these 
deep solitudes. Indeed I think no lord in his castle or king 
in his palace happier than I. 

The former owners of the land, Messrs. Burt & Wright, of 
Springfield, made me a visit soon after I was first discovered. 
They expressed much interest in me, and kindly assured me 
that I might live here as long as I chose. (The land is 
now owned by Mr. Samuel Holmes of Erving, who is a good 
friend to me.) 

I now felt that the prayer so often offered, that I might 
be allowed to remain in this cave was answered, and my 
heart was filled anew with praise and thankgiving. It seem- 
ed to me then, and does so still, that a kind Providence di- 
rected me to America, and provided for me this home, and I 







THE HERMIT. 




cannot but cherish the hope that here I may be allowed to 
spend the remainder of my days. 

MY PETS. 

My rabbit, who held claim here before I came, cheered me 
in my loneliness, and became quite tame. My mouse, Fris- 
ky, so named on account of his liveliness, had become so 
tame as to eat bread from my hand, and would march 
around the cave, turning summersaults and amusing the 
visitors with his gymnastics. 

Two birds soon built their nests in the cave, and a family 
of sqirrels became very neighborly, but these are all gone 
now, and my only pets are my two cats, Laddie and Paean 
and their two children, Rodney (Hunt) and Tinker. 

SIZE OF THE CAVE. 

I have enlarged the cave not by the work of a chissel, 
but by the heating of a rock and dashing on cold water, so 
that the presnt size is about twenty feet square, — the height 
at the largest, is about eight feet, then sloping back to the 
ground. 

A friend of mine while visiting here one day took down 
some paper and, as he said, scribbled a few lines to a friend. 
I begged him for a part of it, which I here inclose, as it 
gives a sketch of each place of interest. 

But now of the hermitage let us talk, 
Of Dexter Street and Princess Walk, 

Of Sorrowsvale — the Sisters' Seat, 

Named for two mourning - sisters sweet. 
For those who send flowers, a street he will name, 
And the flowers are planted on the same. 

A southern slope, Stafford Street is named 

For a certain family quite famed. 



-&- 






-e 2 * 



THE HERMIT. 



Tower Street leads from this to the Castle, 
A dangerous place for young men to wrestle. 

Northfield Center and Phillipston Heights, 

Rattlesnakes' Den, where the ladies have useless frights. 
The Piomenade and Main Street, too, 
From which is obtained a most excellent view. 

Athol Depot the Summer Seat, 

Is connected to Main by Athol Street. 
Orange Street leads to the Castle from Main, 
And Montague Road goes on to the Plain. 

A grand look-out is obtained from the Tower — 

A beautiful place is Eden Bower. 
Pulpit Rock (there is sometimes preaching there,) 
Is just outside the Castle which is twenty teet square. 

The rock roof of the Castle all varnished with smoke, 

Causes much admiration from visiting folk. 
By the tire side is the Hermit's bed, 
The reception room is a wooden shed. 

And many a lord and lady fair, 

Have come to see the Hermit there. 
The Castle is of such renown, 
That orders come from London Town, 

From North, from South, from East, from West, 

For songs and pictures of the Hermit's rest. 
At Moses' Rock let's take a look, 
From which flows out the Laddie's brook. 

The Cat Castle is'just beyond, 

With caves and crevices hard to count. 
And Laddie here enjoys his life, 
In peace and harmony with " Paean his wife." 




} 




O- 





-=3 



-e=* 



THE HERMIT. 



LITTLE TOBY'S GRAVE. 

The following lines were written by the Hermit of Erving Castle, (Erving, Mass.) 
in memory of a favorite Cat, Toby, which was kiMed in March, 1870. They are 
printed at the suggestion of his numerous lady friends. 

Rest, little Toby, rest — 

Not in the Hermit's cave, 
But underneath the sods so green, 

Is little Toby's grave. 

Rest, little Toby, rest — 

Sleep in thy peaceful grave. 
The wretch that took thy life away 

Is but the devil's slave. 

The flowers bloom around you> 

Although you see them not — 
Tour resting place is sacred, 

Tour mem'ry not forgot. 

I hear a rush down the garden walk, 

The ladies are gone there 
To leave a laurel at his head, 

I can see his grave from here. 

Who will watch my dying gasp, 

Or who will monrn for me, 
Since little Toby's breathed his last, 

And died upon my knee ? 

I, too, must take a last farewell, 

My little pet, my pride ; 
But who will mourn the Hermit's death 

Since little Toby's died. 

The days to years roll on, 

The season comes and goes ; 
Thy grave reminds me of my own, 

When God his time shall chose. 



-&• 






«. 



-e=* 



I 



THE HERMIT. 



THE HERMIT OF ERVING CASTLE. 




BY MRS. MARIA L. BURNETTE. 



Up among the jagged rocks and cliffs, 

Just west of Erving town, 
There is a noted spot, the Hermit's Cave, 

A place of great renown. 

From far and near they come, 
The high, the low, the rich and gay, 

To see this strange and curious man, 
And unto him their homage pay. 

Then let us mingle with the crowd 

That daily gathers at his door, 
And learn the reason, if we can, 

Why he calls this world a bore. 

Why he shuns the haunts of men, 

And leads a hermits life, 
Never sighs for the innocent prattle of a child, 

Or the gentle ministrations of a wife. 

As you reach his door, 

He greets you with a happy face, 
And kindly takes you by the hand, 

And bids you welcome to his fairy place. 

I can't describe this man to you, 
So wont attempt the task to-day ; 

But you can see yourself sorrows 
He has had, though he seems so gay. 

I asked him why he shunned the world, 
And never mingled with the throng ; 

With trembling voice he answered me, 
A woman's hand hath done the wrong. 



^e- 



-& 




^ 




THE HERMIT. 



It was the same old, old story, 

Acted over and over again ; 
How a woman led him on to love, 

Then crushed his heart with grief and pain. 

How he built up airy castles, 
In his heart a woman did enthrone ; 

How she heartless left him 
To wander in this world alone. 

And to forget his sorrows 

He left his native home, 
And seeks among our quiet hills 

A Hermit's life alone. 

Now, friends, if you wish to pass a day, 

And dull time would kill, 
You'll find no better way than to visit 

John, the Hermit, in his Castle on the hill. 




Erving, July 23, 1871. 



SMILING MAY. 



BY THE HERMIT OF ERVING CASTLE. 




Like an angel's form she left me, 

So spotless, so divine ; 
But her heart it was another's— 

It never could be mine. 
But few have loved as I have lov'd, 

A love that lasts for aye ; 
And in this breast still lingers 

A love for Smiling May. 



■& 




«-=s- 



■e=* 



THE HERMIT. 




Like an angel's form she left me, 

With the love light in her eye ; 
Her auburn hair in braids so neat 

Might all this world defy. 
But tbat hair was braided not for me, 

Tbat eye is turn'd away, 
While this poor heart is breaking 

For the love of Smiling May. 



With her I've watched the moon so bright, 

For her I crossed the flood ; 
With her I broke the ring in two — 

And wrote the lines in blood. 
I see her in my slumbers ; 

I hear her steps by day ; 
And in this heart still lingers 

A love for Smiling May. 

My summer's sun will soon go down, 

And like the winter's blast, 
Then sorrow will have done its work, — 

The heavy conflict's past. 
When in the dust this head is laid, 

Then all the world may say — 
Here lies a heart that liv'd and died 

For none but Smiling May. 



*©- 





THE HERMIT. 




Extract from the Athol " Worcester West C?>ronicle." 

John the Hermit. — It is inscribed in Holy Writ that it 
is not good for man to be alone. Although this fact is an out- 
breathing of Deity, yet many of human kind have at vari- 
ous times and places, and from all kinds of religious, moral 
and pecuniary reasons, tried hard to gainsay it, and by their 
actual life endeavored to demonstrate the many charms of 
solitude that lie hidden in cloister and hermitage. 

For instance, we have among the craggy cliffs of our 
neighboring town of Erving, a hermit who fain would es- 
tablish among our granite rocks and limpid streams a fac- 
simile of the hermitages of Albion and Scotia. 

Among the domains of England's nobility, it is custom- 
ary to have a romantic spot inhabited by a hermit, with long 
disheveled hair, matted beard, and finger-nails like the talons 
of an eagle, who daily adds additional charms to render 
the surroudings more and more picturesque. This is the 
desire of our John, and explains our statement of his being 
a hermit by profession. # * * # 

He is without doubt, very industrious in his mountain 
home, as his garden and the many improvements in and 
about the place will well show. 

He is largely visited from all the neighboring towns. 

The scenery from the crags around is indeed romantic, 
and will in itself repay a visit. We would say to our read- 
ers, go and see Erving Castle. 











W£m 



\hfAY^ 



Mm&ft! 



t^Mfl 









aA-?»' ac U .-a-aa/' 



Ai^A 



- 1 A > 






AiA'A 



■ 



?AlA^ fT '¥\P\f (TO£ 



>/5 C n;4i 



K-Af 



Efcsto 



&N8&4& 



r^p 



GMHkIaIaYaI 



S^jfW? ! »OT*rl ^'fiffl* 






**&*A& 



SiA'AA'Anj 



ftMS* 












'A/V 



WAVi 



A - „ O 1® !® A 









& /S A .G( -~\ 



. £>Al 'Aaa. 



&&S1IS 






f f jR g ft *> >\' 



A'SV* 



t A . ^ 



,, 



